PROJECTS: BICYCLE DISTRIBUTION

Overview
Since BEN Namibia's beginning, a priority has been placed on delivering bicycles to grassroots organizations. From solely delivering bicycles to volunteers, BEN Namibia is now focused on a more sustainable approach to small-batch deliveries.

Today, BEN Namibia is committed to both delivering bicycles to grassroots organizations along with providing mechanical training to volunteers who service bicycles and providing supplies for repairs, in partnership with with various Bicycle Empowerment Centres.

Examples
1) Through a partnership with ITDP, BEN Namibia has delivered around 800 new California Bikes to different beneficiary groups, but with a focus on HIV/AIDS home based care volunteers.

2) More than 50 secondary school students who attend an after-school academic and athletic program are now equipped with bicycles, courtesy of a donation from Tour d'Afrique.

The organisation, Physically Active Youth, who run a cycling program for children as one of their programs, has taught dozens of young people to ride bicycles and now enter some of the cycling competitions in their community.

BEN Namibia supplied second-hand bicycles and provided mechanical training to some students to ensure their bicycles are maintained. The funds were raised by a rider on the Tour D'Afrique, Chris Wille, who has since gone home to Canada and founded a chapter of Bicycles for Humanity in his home town of Victoria.